Whats Looking good May 2024

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by wiseowl, May 1, 2024.

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  1. hailbopp

    hailbopp Super Gardener

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    I’ve grown Meconopsis for many years. Yes they are somewhat fickle but if given roughly what they like then they are fairly trouble free.I think part of the issue is the common name given to them, blue Poppy. Yes they are the only true blue flower in the world but are nothing like a poppy in their requirements. Unlike poppies they like a reasonable amount of moisture and very rich soil plus semi shade, the complete opposite to poppies. They here at any rate are at their best between the middle of May and into the beginning of June. The fourth photo shows they can be a bit odd and only produce 3 petals on the first flower, then the next to open has the normal 4! The best thing about them this bumper year for slugs and snails is ….they haven’t been touched!.
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    • Escarpment

      Escarpment Super Gardener

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      But also, it just doesn't occur to a lot of people to research the plants they buy or to try and learn about gardening in general. I was talking to a colleague at work about growing blueberries. He has some in his garden but is not finding them producing fruit reliably. I said about them being ericaceous and he had no idea what that even meant. Mind you, he also didn't know that female blackbirds are brown. This is an intelligent guy in his 40s.
       
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        Last edited: Jun 1, 2024
      • fairygirl

        fairygirl Total Gardener

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        I feel that's the job of gardening programmes though. To educate, and give helpful info to people so that they're encouraged to carry on and experiment with taking cuttings and sowing seed, and trying a different type of plant etc. Surely that's more useful than seeing trips to stately home gardens, or someone with a national collection of something or other? Room for both of course, but it's basics that are valuable to new gardeners. If they fail with a plant or sowing seed etc, they're more likely to chuck it and take up knitting.
        Just my opinion of course. :smile:
         
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        • katecat58

          katecat58 Gardener

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          @fairygirl, it's perfectly possible to do both. Knitting on cold days, gardening on warm days. Best of all is to sit in your own lovely garden and knit.
           
        • Busy-Lizzie

          Busy-Lizzie Total Gardener

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          I would rather knit indoors on cold days @katecat58, except I can't knit!
           
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          • Plantminded

            Plantminded Head Gardener

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            That’s very kind of you @Sheal, thank you. I think I actually have some here. I thought they were a type of Mahonia but now know better:)!
             
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            • katecat58

              katecat58 Gardener

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              @Busy-Lizzie it's never to late to learn, or try crochet.
               
            • Busy-Lizzie

              Busy-Lizzie Total Gardener

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              I used to crochet. Can't do fine and fiddly things now, arthritis, swollen joints.
               
            • fairygirl

              fairygirl Total Gardener

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              Knitting has never been a thing for me. I think the enforced rubbish at school a million years ago would have put anyone off. :smile:
              I'm not very good at sitting in the garden for any length of time either. It's already too hot out there for me unless I'm in the shade. Hopeless. :sad:
               
            • katecat58

              katecat58 Gardener

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              I'm sorry to hear that @Busy-Lizzie. I have arthritis in my thumbs (awaiting surgery) but I don't find that it bothers me when I knit or crochet.
               
            • noisette47

              noisette47 Total Gardener

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              Absolutely beautiful :wub2:
               
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              • Sian in Belgium

                Sian in Belgium Total Gardener

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                Posting a little bit late, but I needed to share the first flowers from the iris roots posted to me by the lovely @ARMANDII IMG_20240525_213033.jpg
                (Apologies for the poor photo - like the UK, we have had rain, rain and yet more rain)
                 
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                • Michael Hewett

                  Michael Hewett Total Gardener

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                  Sorry I haven't been around much lately, I don't know where the time has gone. I will try to catch up soon.

                  Meanwhile here are some roses ...

                  Designer sunset :-

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                  Rose Gaujard :-

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                  Francine Austin :-

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                  Masquerade :-

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                  • pete

                    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                    Leptospermum silver sheen.
                    DSC05362.JPG
                     
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                    • Bluejayway

                      Bluejayway Plantaholic

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                      My red velour petunias are starting to burgeon, just need them to trail a bit now:rolleyespink: IMG_0582.jpeg
                       
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